Lewis Hoping to Continue Impressive Streak

Published May 20, 2016 at 12:59 PM

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Colby Lewis #48 of the Texas Rangers throws in the first inning against Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Global Life Park in Arlington on April 29, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)

Colby Lewis never ceases to amaze us.

Year after year, you think Lewis has given it his all and has nothing left to give. And year after year, he proves you wrong.

He's doing it again this year as he prepares to take the hill in Houston on Friday night to open a road series against the Rangers' chief AL West rival Astros, and he'll be looking to continue a pretty impressive streak.

The veteran righty, who has recovered from just about every imaginable surgery in the last few years, has lasted at least six innings in all eight of his starts. As The Dallas Morning News pointed out, he's second to only three pitchers in that regard, as Clayton Kershaw, Stephen Strasburg and James Shields all have nine such starts in a row.

Lewis went six innings in each of his four starts this season and has gone seven in his last four outings. Only one of those starts wasn't a quality start as he allowed a season-high four runs. Every other start has seen him allow three runs or fewer.

More remarkable might be the fact that he's only eclipsed 100 pitches three times this year and has a season high of 106 pitches. One of his seven-inning outings saw him throw just 80 pitches.

“It must be riding the bike,” said Lewis, who dropped 25 pounds in the offseason through cycling workouts, to the Morning News. “I feel really, really good every time I take the mound. I’m trying to keep that consistent feeling every time I go out there.”